Arthur's Seat is the main peak of the group of hills in
Scotland which form most of
Holyrood Park, described by
Robert Louis Stevenson as "a hill for magnitude, a mountain in virtue of its bold design". It is situated in the centre of the city of
Edinburgh, about to the east of
Edinburgh Castle. The hill rises above the city to a height of , provides excellent panoramic views of the city, is relatively easy to climb, and is popular for
hillwalking. Though it can be climbed from almost any direction, the easiest and simplest ascent is from the east, where a grassy slope rises above Dunsapie Loch. At a spur of the hill,
Salisbury Crags has historically been a
rock climbing venue with routes of various degrees of difficulty; however due to hazards rock climbing is now restricted to the South Quarry and a free permit is required.